Workshop Sampling Saturday

One of the things we have been working on during self isolation has been new workshop samples. These may not be needed until later this year but at least they are done. Plus it is always good working on something new.

I pieced this one last week and basted ready for quilting.

All set ready to go. I am using Aurifil Forty3 for the quilting. I am looking for a bolder look against the batiks.

My assistant for the afternoon, Ponchee. More likely she I the supervisor.

Here is a picture of how it is turning out. It isn't a large project, so with the rulers I was able to quilt it in an afternoon.

Now for the binding. What colour should I use?
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Temperature Quilt 2020 Starting

I have decided on an English paper piece flower block for this year's temperature quilt. I am hoping it will be easier than last year's. Not that flying geese blocks are hard. What was hard is getting the time at the sewing machine to make them. So in theory I should be able to put a few together in the evening when I sit down before bed, if I am not too tired.


This is how it will work. There is 8 petal and 1 centre, so 9 all up. I was thinking weekly but that would be 52 blocks. Doing it this way I think I should have 42 blocks to work with, which should give me a 6 x 7 lay out. That works for me. I still have to work out the block size that I will applique my flowers to but I will make a few flowers before I decide that.

The first flower is only be half a flower as the year started mid week.

I will mark the starting petal as I piece the flowers so I know which way the flower will sit as the starting point of each flower will be at the 12 o'clock position. Also I will put a number to keep the flowers in order. Each flower on one of the papers will have 1 - 1, then 2-1, 3-1 and so on, that way I know the order they will sit in the quilt.

The second block done. I really like my first block, so you may see a few more just to make my quilt more interesting.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

2020 Temperature Quilt

I have to admit I am still working on 2019 Temperature quilt. I will get there, but I am hooked and recording temperatures have become part of my morning routine and  I am recording the temperatures out of habit, so I will need a new design for this year. I plan to use the same scale as I did last year, but with a new lay out and different technique. The quilts will look totally different but will have the same colour palette with the addition.
Here is my legend
9- 15 degrees Purple
16-20 degrees  Blue
21-25 degrees Green
26-30 degrees Yellow
31-35 degrees Orange
36-40 degrees Pink
40- 45 degrees Red
46+ degrees Black

This year I want something I can do by hand, I find it hard to find machine time and when I do there are more important projects under my needle. My hand sewing work load is a lot smaller. You may realise where I am heading with this, that means English paper piecing is back on the table. I didn't do a lot in 2019, beside a few pin cushions and Abbie blocks which I will be continuing on this year.

Finding a shape that will work for me has been an interesting excersize. I was thinking I would work in weeks as monthly with 29, 30 and 31 days isn't going to work but 7 or 14 wasn't working either. I can do 4,5, 6, 8 10, 12 or 16 in a block. So let me show you the break down and may be one of you might have a suggestion that may help me solve my problem.

Let's start with 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10  these are all diamonds that form stars when pieced together which in turn will give me 91.5 blocks with the 4 pointed star,  73.2 with the 5 pointed star,  61 with the 6 pointed star,  45.75 with the 8 pointed star and 36.6 with the 10 pointed star. Now the blocks would be small probably around 4-5" in size but only the 6 pointed star divide out nicely.

Then we have the dresden shapes which gives me 6, 12 & 16 depending on size, and once again you have 6 = 61 blocks, 12 = 30.5 blocks and 16 = 22.9 blocks. The size of these block widely vary between 6" to 16" blocks. So 23 x 16" blocks will create a large quilt around the 80" square.

I am going to have to made a decision very soon so I can start, what shape would you use? Is there a shape I have missed that you think would work better. Let me know, I would love to heard your thoughts.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Prismatic Star Update

Today I had the pleasure to do some sewing. I have had limited time to sew and it has been playing on my mind. I have a big load of projects to sew over the next year and I don't want to get behind at this early stages.
I was using this little machine today. I don't use her very often, so she needed a run and working on my Prismatic Star quilt doing Foundation paper piecing is straight forward.

 It's like I step back to the 1970's with this machine but she runs a treat.

 My sewing space for today in the shop's classroom. It reminds me that we must fix the storeroom up so I can have a corner for a permanent sewing area. I have 12 more diamonds to make to complete the outer ring of diamonds in my star.

I managed to get the first stage completed, so I am ready to trim and cut ready for Sunday's sewing session.

My thinking was to get to this stage at least. Tomorrow I will trim and cut the strip sets for Sunday. A step completed each day, and if I get more done even better.
These diamonds, once I finish them will surround the centre ring of diamonds below.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

My Temperature Quilt Part 3

Here are week 2 batch of temperatures. There is 7 in this set as we have had a full week. So except the first week and the last week of the year we will have 7 in each block.
6-1-19 - 25.1 Green
7-1-19 - 29.9 - Yellow
8-1-19 - 27.7 - Yellow
9-1-19 - 26.3 - Yellow
10-1-19 - 32.6 - Orange
11-1-19- 39.9 -Pink
12-1-19 -35.0 -Orange

This is our summer here. I would expect to see lots of yellow, oranges, and pinks with flashes of reds. I just hope we don't end up with too many runs of reds.

Week 3 was another hot week.
13-1-19- 34.0   -Orange
14-1-19- 41.3  - Red
15-1-19- 43.1 -Red
16-1-19- 40.1 -Pink
17-1-19- 39.6 - Pink
18-1-19- 27.6 - Yellow
19-1-19- 30.4 - Yellow

Here is a guide on materials needed for this project if you are thinking of joining in. Once we have some blocks made I will give you more instructions on how everything goes together.
This is what the quilt layout will look like. of course my flying geese block will not all face up but your Flying geese caan if you prefer it.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Vintage Rose - Technique of the Month

Vintage Rose is a six part technique of the month program we are running in 2019. It will start on the 3rd February 2019 with the first full day workshop (9.30 am – 4 pm). Each month we will explore a new foundation paper piecing technique with Elizabeth Chadwick, who is a Quiltworx certified instructor as we work our way through the stunning Vintage Rose quilt.  The workshops are $75 each and the first payment is due on booking, then $75 when you attend each workshop. If you attend the five workshops your last workshop uses the $75 deposit you paid on booking. If you don’t turn up for a workshop without notifying the shop you will lose your booking deposit. Pattern and fabrics are extra and on booking I will give you the requirements. Fabrics purchased at Cynthia’s Ark for this program will be at the special workshop price. Any questions let me know.  The following pictures have come from Quiltworx. These give you some ideas on colour ways. 

Don't forget we have Elizabeth's Vintage Rose hanging in the shop if you want a closer look. It is the one at the top of this blog post.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia